261. The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.

265. And the likeness of those who spend their wealth seeking Allah’s Pleasure while they in their ownselves are sure and certain that Allah will reward them (for their spending in His Cause), is the likeness of a garden on a height; heavy rain falls on it and it doubles its yield of harvest. And if it does not receive heavy rain, light rain suffices it. And Allah is All-Seer of (knows well) what you do.

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Tafsir Ibn Kathir Volume 2, Page 44.

This is a parable that Allah made of the multiplication of rewards for those who spend in His cause, seeking His pleasure. Allah multiplies the good deed ten to seven hundred times. Allah said,

﴿مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَلَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ﴾

“The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah…”

The parable in the Ayah is more impressive on the heart than merely mentioning the number seven hundred. This Ayah indicates that Allah `grows’ the good deeds for its doers, just as He grows the plant for whoever sows it in fertile land. The Sunnah also mentions that the deeds are multiplied up to seven hundred folds. Allah’s statement,

﴿وَاللَّهُ يُضَـعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ﴾

“Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills”

Is according to the person’s sincerity in his deeds.

﴿وَاللَّهُ وَسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ﴾

“And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower”

Meaning, His Favor is so wide that it encompasses much more than His creation, and He has full knowledge in whoever deserves it, or does not deserve it. All the praise and thanks are due to Allah.

Allah’s statement,

﴿كَمَثَلِ جَنَّةٍ بِرَبْوَةٍ﴾

“is that of a garden on a Rabwah”

Means, the example of a garden on `a height above the ground’, as the majority of scholars have stated.

The Ayah indicates that the garden on the Rabwah is always fertile, for if heavy rain does not fall on it, light rain will suffice for it. Such is the case regarding the believer’s good deeds, for they never become barren. Rather, Allah accepts the believer’s righteous deeds and increases them, each according to his deeds. This is why Allah said next,